Khaleej Times reports that, in a move “likely to drastically change the labour market scenario in the country,” the Ministry of Labour says all companies must boast a workforce that is 20 percent comprised of Emiratis.

Kipp is not against Emiratisation as such – after all, from the point of view of the government and nationals it is well intentioned – but there are flaws in the plans. Companies in the private sector have real trouble attracting and retaining Emirati employees, for various complicated reasons. Chief among them: unfavourable remuneration and work conditions/demands when compared to the public sector, and the apparently unrealistic promotion expectations of many Emirati candidates.

Whatever the reasons, the fact is Kipp knows many companies that have tried and failed in ambitious and earnest bids to recruit Emiratis. Under the new system no matter how hard they try, they will be held responsible and commercially punished if they fail (charges for government services, such as acquiring labour cards, will be much cheaper for companies that meet the Emirati quota). It is one way to force companies to embrace the policy, but it is not necessarily a good way. Efforts to integrate nationals into the workforce should be more constructive and practical than this, and private companies need to make that clear to the Ministry.

Desiring unreasonable control of a worker’s life is not a valid point for employers to argue, but wanting Emiratisation to be implemented in a sustainable, effective manner is.

I am really wondering why any employer should be worried. If anmy employer taking care of his employees, why they should leave? I just apply on myself , I am with this organziation since 1982 even got so many offers and some times higher in salary, but still loyal to where I am working till now. Why, very simple , TAKE CARE OF YOUR EMPLOYEES AND TREAT THEM AS HUMAN AND GIVE THEM ALL THEIR RIGHTS. Then no one will leave you.
We are talking here in general, ofocurse there will be many exceptions but we still look at the majority and general cases.
Hope such new rules will let all employers knows better the full rights of all employees like any other civilized country in the world.
The government in UAE trying their best to accommodate both employers and employees and to be fair to both .
So no need to make it big issue and hope the government will go on and not listem to any employer.

Suhail on December 29, 2010 8:24 am

I find concerns of employers absolutely unjustifiable. Their zest to control the lives of their employees is absolutely antagonistic in any civilized society.

Human resource is a moving asset, and if remains free, it only gets redistributed within the market place. If anyone decides to move to a different market he/ she don’t fall under the purview of ban or NOC.

Yes eventually only best employers who look after the interest of employee will attract the best of the talent. The “Not too good” type of employers will certainly not remain at advantage and will certainly not be able to exercise intended control over the employee.

Miss Anne Thropic on December 29, 2010 11:37 am

Instead of throwing money at private companies to try and get them to hire more Emiratis, the government needs to scale back the outrageous salaries of the public sector so there is parity with the private sector.

If government jobs also have longer hours, lower salaries and promotion on merit, as is the case in the private sector, that may force Emiratis to look for jobs that are interesting and rewarding in other ways, regardless of salary.

Also, work experience programmes need to be put in place for Emiratis while they are still in high school to give them a taste of what the real world of work is like. There also needs to be a cultural change, a total change in collective mindset, so that graduates do not leave high school or university and expect their first job to be in senior management.

Anywhere else in the world, most people’s first job is not their dream job and they have to start at the bottom and work their way up.